Statewide Energy Survey

Energy

Anthology Research

Renewable Energy

Since its inception in 2009, Ulupono Initiative has been investing in and advocating for more renewable energy projects in the state.

These projects have helped to reduce Hawaiʻi’s dependency on fossil fuels, while contributing to reaching the state’s energy and decarbonization goals.

Community acceptance plays a big role in the development of large-scale renewable energy projects, especially on islands that have limited land. Therefore, Ulupono decided to test long-standing assumptions around public perception/acceptance of renewable energy projects.

In 2023, Ulupono commissioned what is believed to be the most extensive and complete public opinion survey on the topic of energy in Hawaiʻi. The survey was designed to rank how residents favorably perceive various forms of energy technologies. Results of the survey can offer vital insights for shaping Hawai‘i’s energy future together with Hawai‘i’s communities

About the survey

Anthology Research conducted surveys via telephone and online forms between October 5, 2023, and January 24, 2024.

A total of 1,985 surveys of full-time Hawaiʻi residents, ages 18+

  • 880 on Oʻahu
  • 544 on Hawaiʻi
  • 341 in Maui County
  • 220 on Kauaʻi

Energy technologies asked in the survey:

  • Fossil fuels
  • Utility-scale solar
  • Land-based wind
  • Offshore wind
  • Hydroelectric
  • Geothermal
  • Biomass

 

Geothermal

47%

Statewide strongly or somewhat support

  Statewide Oʻahu Hawaiʻi Maui County Kauaʻi
Strongly or somewhat support 47% 47% 55% 40% 40%
Neutral 27% 28% 24% 25% 25%
Strongly or somewhat oppose 26% 24% 21% 35% 35%
Geothermal

Support for geothermal increases when potential electricity bill savings increase

Savings $30/mo. $65/mo. $98/mo.
Statewide ↑19% ↑30% ↑35%
Honolulu County ↑18% ↑29% ↑36%
Hawaiʻi County ↑21% ↑32% ↑40%
Maui County ↑18% ↑30% ↑34%
Kauaʻi County ↑21% ↑31% ↑40%

Environmental impact was the most important factor in support of geothermal

  Statewide Oʻahu Hawaiʻi Maui County Kauaʻi
Will not harm the environment 48% 47% 53% 43% 58%
Will reduce the cost of electricity 29% 30% 24% 26% 28%
Is supported by the community 16% 16% 17% 21% 10%
Will create jobs 7% 7% 6% 11% 4%

 

Utility-scale Solar

64%

Statewide strongly or somewhat support

  • Kauaʻi – 74% strongly or somewhat support
  • Hawaiʻi – 70% strongly or somewhat support
  • Oʻahu – 62% strongly or somewhat support
  • Maui County – 63% strongly or somewhat support

Utility scale solar

 

Wind Farms – Land-based and Offshore

Land-based wind farms

64%

Statewide strongly or somewhat support

  • Hawaiʻi – 74% strongly or somewhat support
  • Oʻahu – 63% strongly or somewhat support
  • Maui County – 62% strongly or somewhat support
  • Kauaʻi – 54% strongly or somewhat support

Land-based wind farm
Offshore wind farm

Offshore wind farms

58%

Statewide strongly or somewhat support

  • Oʻahu – 59% strongly or somewhat support
  • Hawaiʻi – 58% strongly or somewhat support
  • Maui County – 54% strongly or somewhat support
  • Kauaʻi – 48% strongly or somewhat support

 

Fossil Fuels

29%

Statewide strongly or somewhat support

  • Oʻahu – 32% strongly or somewhat support
  • Maui County – 25% strongly or somewhat support
  • Hawaiʻi – 23% strongly or somewhat support
  • Kauaʻi – 23% strongly or somewhat support

Land-based wind farm

 

Key Takeaways

91% Statewide

of respondents supported expansion of renewable energy resources in Hawaiʻi

  • Hawaiʻi – 93% strongly or somewhat support
  • Oʻahu – 90% strongly or somewhat support
  • Maui County – 91% strongly or somewhat support
  • Kauaʻi – 91% strongly or somewhat support

More Findings

  • Hawaiʻi residents view utility-scale solar and wind farms most favorably
  • Hawaiʻi residents most supportive of construction of solar farms in their towns
  • When questioned about who is responsible for this energy expansion, the majority (63-66%) said that residents must contribute in some way, while about one-third (32-36%) believed it was the government’s responsibility
  • Residents in all counties placed high importance on the development of Hawaiʻi's own (energy) resources
  • Impact on electricity bills was identified as a significant factor in gaining community support
  • Fossil fuel plants ranked least favorable by wide margin

View the survey summary